The HRIC Daily Brief is a daily selection of news stories and commentary related to human rights in China, drawn from Chinese- and English-language news and online media sources that we monitor daily. In addition to headlines and source links, HRIC also provides English translation of Chinese headlines.

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

January 18, 2005


Top news of the day

June 4th – prisoners – Zhao Ziyang (趙紫陽)

State media ignores reformist's death
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Beijing released a brief statement on Zhao’s death, but silenced discussion of the topic on internet.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZMF06HJ3E.html

China defends 1989 crackdown, dismissal of sympathetic party leader
AP, 18 January 2005 (JOE McDONALD)
China on Tuesday defended its 1989 decision to depose former Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, indicating there were no plans to honor him in death.
http://www.ap.org


(Please also see Special News Brief on Zhao’s death)


Protests and petitions
Petitioners can lead to criminal charge for outrages behavior
过激信访构成犯罪将究刑责
People’s Daily, January 18, 2005
The new petition regulations reserve the right to put petitioners on criminal charge for outranges acts.
http://politics.people.com.cn/GB/1026/3126582.html


News

Death penalty
Complete abolishment of death penalty still hard in today's China
People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
China may gradually reduce application of death penalty, but a complete abolishment remains difficult in China.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_17087
9.html


Education
Education in rural areas should meet their practical needs
乡村需要适应实际生活的“活教育”
China Youth Daily, January 18, 2005
Experts said the realization of 9-year compulsory education is important, but the realization should not be bound by the time, but the flexible and practical content.
http://zqb.cyol.com/gb/zqb/2005-01/18/content_1017647.htm

Environment
Water diverted into Pearl River system to ease salinity problem
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Guangdong authorities began to diverting 900 million cubic meters water into the Pearl River Delta System attempting to ease a water salinity problem in neighboring cities.
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZFYY9HJ3E.html

Food security
China to tighten control on grain production
Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
Although grain production increased in 2004, government would continue to tighten control on grain production through macro-economic policy.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474404.htm

Government – governance and accountability (law)
Draft regulations on disclosing public information to submit to State Council
政府信息公开条例完成草案起草 并上报到国务院
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
Draft regulations on public information disclosure will be submitted to the State Council for study.
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
zxs_2005-01-18_529567.shtml


Human rights – education
People's Daily launches special column to boost human rights education
People’s Daily, January 17, 2005
People’s Daily, a state newspaper, starts to run a column focusing on human rights education since mid January to increase public awareness on human rights issues in China.
http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/17/eng20050117_170886.html

Labour – work safety and conditions
Watchdog vows to cut workplace fatalities
Xinhuanet.com, January 18, 2005
Work Safety bureau targets dangerous occupations and sectors such as mining and road traffic to improve work safety conditions and reduce fatal accidents.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/18/content_2474376.htm

Political Dissidents

Dissidents under surveillance after death of ousted Chinese leader Zhao
AFP, 18 January 2005
Dissidents and civil rights campaigners said Tuesday the government is watching them more closely after the death of deposed Chinese leader Zhao Ziyang, preventing them from holding commemorative activities.
www.afp.com

Help China's prisoners of conscience
SCMP, 18 January 2005
Tomorrow, Chinese pro-democracy activist and US permanent resident Yang Jianli will be spending his 1,000th day in detention in a Beijing prison.
www.scmp.com

Uighur writer in China arrested for a short story advocating independence
AFP, 18 January 2005
Nurmehemmet Yasin was detained by state security agents in November after he published in the review "Literature in Kashgar", a short story entitled "The Blue Pigeon" advocating independence for Uighurs.
www.afp.com

Public health
Beijing attempts to draft nutrition law as anxiety grows on Chinese’s nutrition conditions
我国居民营养问题日益突出 政府酝酿营养立法
EastDay.com, January 18, 2005
The government considers promulgating regulation on nutrition to ease the worsening nutrition conditions of the general public
http://china.eastday.com/eastday/news/node37955/node37957/node
37979/node47160/userobject1ai804356.html


Resettlement – protests
Police detain housing protesters
SCMP, January 18, 2005
Shanghai police detailed dozens of protesting over housing compensation outside the city’s legislative building yesterday.
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ8LH8HJ3E.html


Special News Brief on Zhao Ziyang's Death

Mourning of Zhao’s death blocked in Shanghai and Beijing
哀悼赵紫阳 北京拦截 上海抓捕
Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785648.htm

News agency says Liu Xiaobo forced to stay home
合众社:刘晓波已被禁止离开家门
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 19, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland/
2005_1_18_23_12_1_936.html


Interview with Wang Dan speaking about Zhao, June 4th and the Communist Party
【专访】王丹谈赵紫阳、六四与中共
Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785015.htm

Aide barred from paying respects
SCMP, January 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZJL36HJ3E.html

Why Premier Wan did not visit former boss?
为甚么温家宝不去探望赵紫阳
Dajiyuan.com, January 19, 2005
http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/5/1/19/n785618.htm

Outspoken professor raps official response to Zhao death
SCMP, January 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZD9CCHJ3E.html

We were right to banish Zhao in 1989, says Beijing
SCMP, January 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZXXCCHJ3E.html

Media curbs reflect fear of dissent
SCMP, January 19, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZTS2AHJ3E.html

Public mourning of Zhao’s death banned on internet
多维追击:官方禁公开悼念「网上灵堂」祭亡魂
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 19, 2005 http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/BackStage/
2005_1_18_20_53_16_376.html


Beijing Speaks Ill of Fallen Chief, but Private Mourning Is Allowed
New York Times, January 19, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/international/asia/19zhao.
html?oref=login


State media ignores reformist's death
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZMF06HJ3E.html

The reformist premier who ended his life as a prisoner
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZVYY9HJ3E.html

A need to address a raw political wound
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZFXY9HJ3E.html

In death, Zhao Ziyang is 'finally free'
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://www.scmp.com/topnews/ZZZKTG8HJ3E.html

His legacy of reform will live on, say analysts
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chimain/ZZZNYY9HJ3E.html

History will favour man who opposed crackdown
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZRL8CHJ3E.html

In his words
SCMP, January 18, 2005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZ7M8CHJ3E.html

Wang Dan: it is unfair to ignoring Zhao’s contribution to economic and political reforms
王丹:忽略赵紫阳经改贡献并不公平
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland
/2005_1_17_14_2_8_942.html


Tiananmen Mothers: we are saddened with the death of Zhao Ziyang
丁子霖等天安门母亲:痛悼赵紫阳先生
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Opinion/2005_1_17
_11_48_50_958.html


Hong Kong politicians and public opinion in favour of a review of June 4th
多维追击:香港政坛及民间促平反六四
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 18, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Hongkong/
2005_1_17_18_1_49_28.html


Security tight in Beijing after death of purged Chinese leader Zhao
AFP via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1530&
amp;ncid=731&e=4&u=/afp/20050118/wl_asia_afp/chinatiananmen
politics


Zhao's Death Presents Dilemma for China
AP via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
p;ncid=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_as/china_political_ti
ghtrope


Family of China's Zhao Forgoes State Funeral: Source
Reuters via YahooNews, January 18, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050118/
wl_nm/china_zhao_funeral_dc_1


Vice president visits Zhao at hospital to calm public opinion
領導人探趙 緩民情爭民心
MingPao, January 18, 2005
http://full.mingpaonews.com/20050118/gaa2r.htm

Chinese warily mourn purged leader Zhao
Guardian, January 18, 2005
http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,7369,1392809,00.html?g
usrc=rss


Aide to Late Chinese Party Boss Lashes Out at Regime
Radio Free Asia, January 17, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/english/news/2005/01/17/china_baotong/

Liu Qing: Zhao was like given a life imprisonment
刘青:政府等于判赵紫阳无期徒刑
Voice of America, January 17, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=8EAE22F
2-B1F7-482D-AF890B4AE43740A3&title=%C1%F5%C7%E0%A3%
BA%D5%FE%B8%AE%B5%C8%D3%DA%C5%D0%D5%D4%D7%CF
%D1%F4%CE%DE%C6%DA%CD%BD%D0%CC%2805%C4%EA1%D4
%C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027
ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News#


Zhao Ziyang and China’s political and economic reforms
赵紫阳与中国政经改革
Voice of America, January 17, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=9F42707A-
6F51-4D7A-BFE7831BD4BD9004&title=%D5%D4%D7%
CF%D1%F4%D3%EB%D6%D0%B9%FA%D5%FE%BE%AD%B8%C4%B8
%EF%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C283D8A3-4A
B3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=National%20News


香港民主界学界对赵紫阳逝世反应
Voice of America, January 17, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=F4060C02-
41C1-46EF-AEAFAB5B4FB56845&Title=%CF%E3%B8%DB%C3%F1%
D6%F7%BD%E7%D1%A7%BD%E7%B6%D4%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4
%CA%C5%CA%C0%B7%B4%D3%A6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%
D5%29&db=current&CatOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8
EC2009027ACC5C2&Categoryname=National%20News


Analysis: the legacy of Zhao to China’s politics
分析:赵紫阳留宝贵政治遗产
Voice of America, January 17, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=F9474D6
2-6CC9-4638-8C825F981AA4D53C&Title=%B7%D6%CE%F6%A3%
BA%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%C1%F4%B1%A6%B9%F3%D5%FE%
D6%CE%D2%C5%B2%FA%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&db=current&CatOID=C283D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC
2009027ACC5C2&Categoryname=National%20News


Taiwan’s reaction to Zhao’s death
台湾对赵紫阳逝世反应
Voice of America, January 17, 2005
http://www1.voanews.com/Chinese/article.cfm?objectID=3C7EFD0
0-03F1-4720-B6C60877B4915D44&title=%CC%A8%
CD%E5%B6%D4%D5%D4%D7%CF%D1%F4%CA%C5%CA%C0%B7%
B4%D3%A6%2805%C4%EA1%D4%C217%C8%D5%29&catOID=C2
83D8A3-4AB3-11D5-8EC2009027ACC5C2&categoryname=Na
tional%20News


Beijing’s comment on Zhao a test to the political wisdom of leadership
趙紫陽評價: 考驗胡溫政治智慧
Asia Times Online, January 17, 2005
http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0117rep2.htm

Public opinion on internet over Zhao’s death in low profile
趙紫陽逝世 大陸網民低調
Asia Times Online, January 17, 2005
http://www.atchinese.com/2005/01/0117rep5.htm

Zhao Ziyang passes away at 85
Xinhuanet.com, January 17, 2005
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/17/content_2469618.htm

China Gives Zhao's Death Scant Notice
New York Times, January 18, 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/18/international/asia/18zhao.html?ex=1263704400&en=5af638704a244a34&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt

Beijing warns on Zhao reaction
CNN, January 18, 2005
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/17/china.zhao.willy
lam/index.html


Zhao: Symbol of shattered hopes
CNN, January 18, 2005
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/asiapcf/01/17/zhao.obit.ap/in
dex.html


The Prisoner of Conscience: Zhao Ziyang, 1919-2005
Times Magazine, January 18, 2005
http://www.time.com/time/asia/news/article/0,9754,1018129,00.ht
ml?cnn=yes


Ex-Chinese Communist Leader Zhao Dies
AP via YahooNews.com, January 17, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
p;ncid=731&e=2&u=/ap/20050117/ap_on_re_as/obit_zhao_ziyang


Beijing on high alert after the death of Zhao
赵紫阳逝世 北京料将高度戒备
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 17, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainl
and/cna_2005_01_16_22_38_02_084.html


China Confirms Death of Zhao Ziyang
Reuters via YahooNews.com, January 17, 2005
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050117/wl_n
m/china_zhao_dc_6


Rights group persists in the appeal for getting Zhao Ziyang Nobel Peace Prize
人权组织继续为赵紫阳争取诺贝尔和平奖
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 14, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/Forums/BackStage
/2005_1_13_19_41_49_318.html


No coverage on ex-communist chief Zhao’s health conditions in Chinese media
中国媒体没有报道前中共总书记赵紫阳的近况
Radio Free Asia, January 13, 2005
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/xinwen/2005/01/12/zhaoziyang/

Silence on Zhao broken - to deny he has died
SCMP, January 12, 1005
http://china.scmp.com/chitoday/ZZZGQI9HJ3E.html

Deposed Chinese Leader Alive but Ill
AP via YahooNews, January 12, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&am
p;ncid=731&e=10&u=/ap/20050111/ap_on_re_as/china_deposed_leader


Activist: Deposed China Leader in Hospital
AP, January 11, 2005
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=731&e=4&u
=/ap/20050111/ap_on_re_as/china_ousted_leader


China Times: Zhao died? Rumors over cover-ups of Zhao’s death
中国时报:赵紫阳病逝?传死讯遭封锁
Chinesenewsnet.com, January 11, 2005
http://www1.chinesenewsnet.com/gb/MainNews/SinoNews/Mainland
/2005_1_10_20_17_53_348.html